10. Reyna
CHAPTER 10
At the soft knock on my office door, I glance up as Jaxson stands and pulls it open. Liam peeks his head in and smiles at me, then moves in all the way and I see the bouquet of red roses in his hand.
Annoyance toys with my already frayed nerves and I have to force my own smile. “Hey, Liam, what are you doing here?”
“I went by the bank today and your mom said you were at work. I wanted to bring you something to brighten your day.” He offers me the roses, and I stand to accept them.
“This is sweet, thanks.”
He glances back at Jaxson, then turns to me again. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore, but better.” The bruises on my face have already begun to turn yellow thanks to the near-week since the attack. And so far, everything has been quiet. I canceled all of my cards, ordered a new ID, and my mother replaced the purse that was stolen as an early birthday gift. Things are getting somewhat back to normal—minus the nightmares that still won’t leave me alone.
“I’m so glad to hear it. I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m doing better. But I will take all the prayers I can get.”
“Absolutely.” He rubs his hands together. “So, listen, I know you have a lot going on right now, but I wanted to see if you might be up for dinner again. I’d love to take you out a second time, if you’re interested.” He laughs nervously, and I glance back to see Jaxson trying his best to stifle a grin as he sits down in the chair he’s occupied most of the day.
“I appreciate that, but I cannot accept any invitations until I know what my life is going to look like. You know, given everything.”
“I completely understand,” Liam replies. “And, seriously, please don’t mind me, I’m around if you need me.” He turns to Jaxson. “Jaxson, nice to see you again.”
“You, too, Liam. Have a great day.”
“You, too.” He smiles again, offers me a wave, and slips from the room.
Jaxson continues grinning from where he’s sitting.
“What?” I demand.
“That was uncomfortable.”
I can’t even deny it, and truth be told, I appreciate him calling it like it is. Because it was awkward. “He’s so nice, I just?—”
“He’s not Michael.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Jaxson looks up from the book he’d just picked back up. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“There is nothing between Michael and me.” Even though I’d been appreciative moments ago that he’d called it like he saw it, now I’m annoyed at the implication.
“Look, it’s none of my business, and I don’t want to get involved. I just think that if you don’t feel for Liam the way he clearly does for you, it would be better for you to tell him sooner rather than later. No decent man wants to be in a one-sided relationship.”
The way he says it makes me wonder if he’s had experience with heartbreak himself. I know he’s not married, relatively quiet, and spends most of his evenings at the diner reading quietly in a booth by himself.
But was there someone else in his life at one point?
“I don’t want anything with Michael,” I tell him. “But you’re right about Liam. There’s just nothing there.”
“Then be honest. Liam will appreciate it, and you’ll feel better.” He goes back to reading his book, and I stare at the cursor blinking on my screen.
I’d been in the middle of an email to our school board when Liam walked in, and even though everything I’d wanted to say had been fresh in my mind, now I’m completely blank. Better start over again.
I start to look it over again when my cell rings. I don’t recognize the number on the screen, which is not unusual this time of year, since I haven’t programmed every one of my employees into my contacts. Without thinking, I answer. “Hello?”
“Hello, Reyna Acker.”
My blood goes cold. “You.”
Jaxson sets his book aside and stands, crossing over toward my desk. He pulls out his phone and taps the screen. After muttering something I can’t quite make out, he puts it on speaker and sets it on the desk, then gestures for me to do the same.
Swallowing hard, I hit the speaker button. “What do you want with me?”
“Speaker, huh? That’s okay, I don’t mind talking to your muscle, too.” He sighs into the phone. “You have made things difficult for me, Reyna.” The way he says my name churns my stomach.
“I wish I could say I’m sorry,” I reply sarcastically. “But I genuinely hope that I continue to do so.”
“Gave me a bit of a shiner with that right hook of yours. I have to say, I’m impressed.”
“Why did you come after me?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Jaxson Payne, I’m assuming you’re listening on the call?”
“You know who I am. Good for you.”
“I know who you all are. Lance Knight. Elijah Breeth. Michael Anderson.” When he says Michael’s name, my stomach churns again and bile burns the back of my throat. Is this a threat? Is he threatening everyone I care about now? Why? “I know that Reyna’s mother works at the bank and her father owns an automotive shop. Then, of course, there’s Eliza Knight and Andie Montgomery. They are quite the lookers. Even Anderson’s sister, Margot.” He whistles. “Now, there’s a gorgeous woman.”
Jaxson’s expression turns murderous. “You’d better start giving me information I can use, or this call is over.”
“I merely wanted to reach out and let you know that you and your team have one opportunity to back off before this gets really ugly for all of you. It would be a shame if something happened to someone you care about, Reyna.”
Spots invade my vision, and I suck in a breath. He’s threatening people I care about, and he won’t even tell me why. I’m just a principal. Why is this happening to me?
“If you’ve truly done that much digging into us you know that we won’t back off. Not until you’re behind bars.”
“This doesn’t have to include you. You’re doing your job, and I can respect that, but this isn’t a battle you can win.”
“You clearly have no idea who you’re dealing with,” Jaxson says.
“Maybe not. But I know that Reyna Acker and I have unfinished business. And I know that if you don’t stay out of my way, I won’t hesitate to start shortening the branches of your makeshift family tree.” He ends the call, and I suck in another breath.
“You got all that?” Jaxson asks.
“Got it,” Lance replies through the speaker of Jaxson’s phone. He ends the call and crosses around to put both hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, Reyna.”
“He’s threatening everyone. Why? What did I do?”
“We’ll figure it out, but you need to breathe.”
I suck in a ragged breath. God, please help me. Please, please, please don’t let this man hurt anyone because of me.
The door flies open, and Michael rushes in. His gaze is furious, and I know without a doubt he was likely in the office when the call to Lance came in. The lighthouse they work out of is only a few miles away, but he must have left as soon as the man started talking.
“Breathe, Reyna,” Jaxson tells me.
I obey. One breath at a time.
“He’s not in the parking lot,” Michael replies. “I cleared it.” His gaze lands on the roses left on my desk, but he doesn’t say anything.
“How did he know Jaxson was with me?” I ask, my breathing ragged.
“Probably been keeping tabs on you. We’ll sweep your house again, make sure there aren’t any bugs or hidden cameras.”
“What? Again?”
“We checked it when we installed the system,” Michael says. “It’s routine.” He reaches forward and touches my shoulder. The moment his hand touches me, a sense of calm washes over me. An assurance that he’s here.
I know, without a doubt, Michael Anderson would lay his life down for me. Does the man on the other end of the line know that I would do the same?
“I don’t understand why this is happening to me.” I remain where I am for a moment, even though I know I should pull away. Put distance between us. But the feel of his hand on my shoulder…I force myself to step away and a deep, steadying breath. “What could I have done?”
“I’m not sure,” Jaxson replies. “But we’ll figure it out.”
Michael shoves both hands into his pockets. “You should probably get home. Someplace more secure.”
“I’m in a school,” I reply. “How much safer could I get?” But even as I think it, I know he’s right. I’d feel better at home. Safer. More tucked away.
Every time this man has come after me—the parking lot and now this phone call—I’ve been here. It’s likely coincidence, but I can’t deny the fact that this place is feeling a lot less safe these days.